Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Working Party is recommended to amend the ‘Media’ provisions of the Executive Procedure Rules and the Council Meeting Procedure Rules, as detailed in Section 4 of the report.

Officer Contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or e mail: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

The Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) with regard to a section relating to the filming and social media reporting of meetings in the guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government in June 2013 entitled ‘Your Council’s cabinet – going to its meetings, seeing how it works – a guide for local people’. The guidance allowed for the filming of councillors and officers at meetings of the Executive.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed about allowing the public speaking on planning applications at area committees to be filmed where the permission of the public speakers to be filmed had not been obtained.

·         Concern was expressed about allowing controversial planning applications to be filmed and the possibility for intimidation.

·         Concern was expressed about councillors filming one another.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Council Meeting be recommended to amend the ‘Media’ provisions of the Executive Procedure Rules and the Council Meeting Procedure Rules as detailed in Section 4 of the report.

(2) That the Leader of the Council and the Mayor advise members of the public about the rules governing the filing of the meetings at the commencement of each Executive Meeting and Council Meeting.

(3) That the recording of the proceedings of meetings apply solely to the Executive Meeting and the Council Meeting.

(4) That the possibility of a Member protocol on the filming of meetings be explored in the Municipal Year, particularly with regard to a Councillor filming another Councillor.